Proposals scrapped for Scotland’s only ferry link to Europe
‘Economic factors’ have led Forth Ports to axe plans for a ferry link that would have reopened the only service between Scotland and Europe.
In November last year, the Scottish government said proposed changes in legislation could lead to a new route between Scotland and Europe after a freight service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge in Belgium was closed in 2018.
The latest plans suggested Dunkirk would be the European port ferries would sail from and to, and they would consist of both passenger and freight services. DFDS was named as the ferry operator, having shown enthusiasm for a reopened service.
The Scottish government said legislative changes ‘would increase access to the EU market for Scottish exports which have been negatively impacted by Brexit by allowing flexibility on the location requirements for a Border Control Post’.
With the port of Rosyth unable to facilitate border checks, the proposals, if adopted, would have allowed checks to be carried out some miles away instead.
“Our position is based on a number of important economic factors which unfortunately impact the long-term viability of a ferry service in Rosyth,” a Forth spokesperson said.
“The Port of Rosyth remains a key area for development of the Forth Green Freeport and our focus will now shift to delivering alternative activity at the port. We will continue to connect Scotland with the rest of the world through the container terminal at the Port of Grangemouth.”
As well as the owner of eight docks, Forth Ports is also the statutory harbour authority for the Firth of Forth and River Tay, managing around 280 square miles of navigable waters, including marine terminals and services such as pilotage, towage and navigation.
